Welcome to the Scenography Commission
The Scenography Commission facilitates the exchange of ideas in the field of design and composition for live performance. This includes the traditional art of scenography but also encompasses all aspects of visual and auditory design including set, costumes, lighting, sound, and music composition.
The Commission provides a forum for communication of common interests. As artists, we often develop our visual and aural language in isolation. The forum aims to share our knowledge and concerns with the widest possible group of practitioners from diverse cultural backgrounds.
The forum aims to facilitate easier communication - largely by e-mail but also through regular meetings - and to stimulate professional development among young designers. This is central to the continuing development of theatre and the performing arts throughout the world.
Each year there is at least one general meeting of members and colleagues. Working groups for set, costume, lighting and sound design also meet in different localities to broaden the input of those from other countries.
Membership
Everyone who is a member of an OISTAT Centre is automatically a member of OISTAT. Commission members are representatives of their OISTAT Centre and must be knowledgeable of the artistic development in the field of live performance in all parts of their centre. Their aim is to share their knowledge with the commission and then disseminate the commission’s findings back to practitioners in their centre. Individual members, guests and interested parties are also welcome to participate in meetings, especially in projects organized by the working groups.
Meetings
The commission meets at least once a year. The location will always have a good theatrical infrastructure and/or an outstanding performing space. Recent meetings have been held in Toronto, Santiago de Cuba, Long Beach, Prague, Seoul, Manila, Bregenz, Antwerp and Tel-Aviv.
Activities regularly include:
-business meetings of the commission members;
-reports from the Working Groups;
-special presentations from members relating to relevant activities;
-presentations by the host country;
-a small exhibition of designs from each OISTAT Centre;
-contact with design students;
-visits to live performances, workshops, film and television studios, theatre buildings and museums;
-social activities.
Countries hosting Scenography Commission meetings take advantage of the meeting and its international members by offering lectures and presentations which are open to the public and particularly to students.
Regional Coalitions
Members of the Scenography Commission aim to find partners for regional coalitions. A region can be considered as two or more nations who spontaneously come together in order to consider OISTAT activities by sharing local resources and opportunities. Closer collaboration of this nature is also likely to save money and time.
Such open co-operation within the Commission makes work livelier. Instead of meeting just once a year there can be continuous contact among regional coalitions. Work can be done throughout the year on a limited international level. Results from such a forum are highly welcomed in an OISTAT organization that has to work on a world-wide plane.
Prague Quadrennial and World Stage Design
The Scenography Commission supports new initiatives at the Prague Quadrennial and World Stage Design exhibitions. A close collaboration with the OISTAT Education Commission on these matters is also encouraged. Many members of the commission are instrumental in devising and hosting events at PQ.
